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Thursday, 1 September 2011

Endangered poisonous snakes species

Bungarus fasciatus is Extremely toxic, but so disinclined to bite that Malayan villagers believe it is not a venomous species.

DESCRIPTION1- 2 meters in size. It has black and yellow cross bands on its entire length.

DISTRIBUTIONIndia Mayurbhanj district and the malay archipelago.HABITAT

banded krait is found in bamboo groves in the forests,plantation and farms, where It hides during the day in burrows under stones or logs, becoming active at night.

FOODlike all kraits other snakes are the preferred food.

BREEDINGThe female lays eggs.

(VIPERS (FAMILY VIPERIDAE)

About 190 species. Arguably the most advanced snakes, a group which includes the rattlesnakes, the European adder (vipera berus) , and the gaboon viper (bitis gabonica), which hold the record for length of fangs. This is possible because, as in all vipers , the fangs can be folded into the roof of the mouth and are swivelled forward during a bite. Sometimes the pit vipers (rattlesnakes and their kin) are placed in a separate family. All of them have a heat-sensitive pit on each side of their face, for detecting the body warmth of mammals or birds, enabling them to strike accurately in pitch darkness.

FER-DE-LANCE-

Bothrops atrox

More correctly known as barb amarilla, this snake has a virulent venom and reputedly responsible for the most snake-bite related deaths in south America of any species. The true fer-de-lance occurs only on island of Martinique.

DESCRIPTION Averages 2 metres (6 ½ ft). One of its many common names refers to it as a “lancehead”; its triangutar head with light stripes behind the eyes produces an arrow point marking towards the snout. Mostly some shade of brown with darker brown triangles radiating off the back.

DISTRIBUTIONFrom Mexico down through Brazil.

HABITATFound in plantations and forest, especially along streams.

FOOD Venomous, feeding on small mammals and birds, frogs and lizards.

BREEDINGA large female can produce an astonishing litter of up to 70 young measuring 30cm (12in).

GABOON VIPER-

Bitis gabonica

This large viper has massive fangs of up to 5cm (2in), a record for any snake. The fangs are folded against the roof of the mouth, but are raised and extended when the snake goes to strike.

DESCRIPTION:The largest and fattest of the puff adders at up to 1.8 metres (6ft) and 12kgs (26lb). Very heavy-bodied with a wide head and silvery eye marked out by a triangle of brown or black extending from the jaw. The colours of the amazingly cryptic body patterm range from brown, beige, yellow, black and purple.

DISTRIBUTION:much of eastern, central and western Africa.

HABITAT:Found on the floors of rain forests and woodland, its remarkable patterning camouflages it wonderfully in leaf litter

FOOD:Venomous, eating a variety of terrestrial the small royal antelope.

BREEDING:live-bearing, up to 60 young in a litter.

PUFF ADDER-

Bitis arietans

Male puff adders may be seen performing strange ritualized combats or dances together during the breeding season.

DESCRIPTION:A very heavy-bodied snake, perhaps only 1 metre (3-4ft), but extremely variable in colour, ranging from yellow-brown through reddish brown or grey with heavy black markings.

DISTRIBUTION:Africa south of the Sahara, southwest Arabia and Yemen.

HABITAT:Most active at night, but in fact generally an ambush feeder, waiting for its prey to pass its silent, camouflaged form. Usually hisses very loudly when threatened.

FOOD: Venomous, eating mainly rodents which are quickly digested with the aid of the tissue-destroying nature of the venom.

BREEDING: Able to produce massive litters of over 80 live offspring.

CANTIL SNAKE-

Agkistrodon bilineas

The newly hatched young are able to attract their prey by using extraordinary movements of their bright yellow tail lure.

DESCRIPTION:A blue-back to chocolate brown snake, with creamy-white markings taking the form of two narrow lateral stripes and regular thin cross bars.